Missing diver

[tursiops]

Garmin makes the Garmin Inreach Explorer EPIRB

It is not an EPIRB.
Both EPIRBs and PLBs talk to the geostationary COSPAR satellites and give access to no-cost national search and rescue services.
The Garmin InReach devices talk to the low-earth orbit Iridium satellites and give access to private S&R services, for a subscription fee.
Different systems, different capabilities, different advantages and disadvantages.

 

[ggunn]

It is not an EPIRB.
Both EPIRBs and PLBs talk to the geostationary COSPAR satellites and give access to no-cost national search and rescue services.

Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » Scientific Commission A: Space Studies of the Earth’s Surface, Meteorology, and Climate

COSPAR website on https://cosparhq.cnes.fr

cosparhq.cnes.fr

I didn't see anything about COSPAR being able to pinpoint a signal source. I believe it would still have to use GPS from the medium earth orbit satellites to locate the transmitter.

BTW, I don't think that the Iridium sats and GPS sats are the same thing. Iridium is a voice and data network and the sats are in low earth orbit.

 

[tursiops]

Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) » Scientific Commission A: Space Studies of the Earth’s Surface, Meteorology, and Climate

COSPAR website on https://cosparhq.cnes.fr

cosparhq.cnes.fr

I didn't see anything about COSPAR being able to pinpoint a signal source. I believe it would still have to use GPS from the medium earth orbit satellites to locate the transmitter.

The modern PLB and EPRIB devices obtain the GPS signal and send that info to OSPAR.
The point is that the emergency call goes to COSPAR, and initiates that S&R system.
the older devices used doppler shift in the transmissions to provide a crude position.

 

[Wants2divemore]

The Garmin InReach Mini2 is NOT a PLB.

My bad -- you're correct. In my haste of replying I was thinking of my earlier ACR ResQLink PLB (which I also used for hiking and scuba diving before getting my InReach Mini2.)

 

[60feetunder]

The central hotel zone is still outside the Park, right?

From just south of the Carnival Piers at Puerta Maya to just north of Puerto de Abrigo is NOT in the protected zone.

 

[NDL_Diver]

Mini2 mentioned above. Never made a reference to EPIRB, but you two have fun taking this thread another direction. They’re actually on sale now.

This issue with the Mini2 it is only IPX7 rated, 1 meter or less for 30min and REQUIRES a subscription plan. It is really just for incidental water contact and is not a PLB. The PLB1 is waterproof to 5 meters and is a PLB with NO subscription. Both are better than a whistle.

 

[JFS]

It is not an EPIRB.
Both EPIRBs and PLBs talk to the geostationary COSPAR satellites and give access to no-cost national search and rescue services.
The Garmin InReach devices talk to the low-earth orbit Iridium satellites and give access to private S&R services, for a subscription fee.
Different systems, different capabilities, different advantages and disadvantages.

Tell these guys then. Best EPIRB for 2024

 

[ggunn]

This issue with the Mini2 it is only IPX7 rated, 1 meter or less for 30min and REQUIRES a subscription plan. It is really just for incidental water contact and is not a PLB. The PLB1 is waterproof to 5 meters and is a PLB with NO subscription. Both are better than a whistle.

How would waterproofness to 5 meters help at the end of a dive to 30 meters? Wouldn't it be flooded? Does it come in a more waterproof case?

 

[tursiops]

Tell these guys then. Best EPIRB for 2024

If you read further in that link, you find:

"Signals from EPIRBs will be transmitted on the Cospas Sarsat. This is a global satellite network used by sailors for search and rescue. 45 nations and agencies around the world respond to distress signals on this network. This includes the U.S. Coast Guard."​

And if you read even further in that link, you find some quite worng and a lot of quite outdated information.

I'm not responsible for misinformation you might run across, but you might want to check more than one site for agreement.
Even Garmin says they are not EPIRBS that they sell.

 

[Wants2divemore]

How would waterproofness to 5 meters help at the end of a dive to 30 meters? Wouldn't it be flooded? Does it come in a more waterproof case?

You can buy a waterproof case for it which is rated to 100m. I have the case and it works as advertised (although I've only taken it to 110').

inReach Mini Dive Case | Garmin

www.garmin.com

The 5m waterproofness helps at the surface since you have to take it out of the case to use it. If you have a Garmin watch, however, you can connect your watch to the InReach Mini2 and use it without having to take it out of the case at the surface.

It does require a subscription plan, either monthly or annual. If you don't use it year round, you can activate the plan for the time you need then deactivate the plan and they'll pro-rate the plan charge.

So as to keep this thread somewhat on topic, there have been several threads about the Garmin InReach Mini2. The thread below is the most comprehensive recent thread that I'm aware of and answers most of the commonly asked questions. Feel free to DM me if you have a specific question that's not answered.

Thread 'Thoughts on the Garmin Inreach Messenger?'

May 22, 2023

I take 1-3 trips every year where I have no cell reception - liveaboards, remote vacation resorts, "castaway/Robinson Crusoe" experiences. I had been planning to buy a Garmin Inreach Mini 2 but saw that the Messenger just came out last year. Anyone have advice on which might be more useful in a boats and islands context? Leaning towards Messenger for longer battery life + lower price.

• Shafqat Ahmed
• Replies: 56
• Forum: General Scuba Equipment Discussions

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